A resume must catch the eyes of the hiring managers who will see it in order for a candidate to be considered for a position. So what exact information should writing actually contain? As we know it, the essentials are a name, contact information, responsibilities, and job titles. Seems simple enough to not leave any room for any known, classic resume mistakes, right? Not so much.
An effective simple resume format is very intricate and involves a strenuous writing process to ensure effectiveness. When attempting to create an effective, stand-out resume document that will catch that hiring manager’s attention, there can be instances in which not enough care was taken to actually make it effective and intrigue the people who will view it. With the use of the applicant tracking system (ATS), it is extremely easy to make a mistake that will destroy your chances of getting the dream job you desire.
At Simple Resume, we put our feet in the shoes of hiring managers in determining the undesirables to simplify the writing process. To better your job search, avoid making these 4 classic resume mistakes that will hurt your chances of getting hired.
1) Grammatical Errors
Grammatical errors are by far the most obvious mistake you can make in writing a professional document. The last thing you want is hiring managers thinking you are incompetent for the job, and there’s no better way to do this than spelling things incorrectly.
According to a study conducted by CareerBuilder, 77% of applicants who submitted resumes with grammatical errors were not hired. The most successful resumes are the result of candidates taking the extra time to proofread a countless number of times to make sure their spelling and grammar is correct. It even helps to have another pair of eyes look at your work as well to ensure there are no resume mistakes in your writing. You can also contact our in-house team of professional resume writers for writing expertise.
2) Template & One-Size-Fits-All Approach
This is a classic resume mistake that many will find is simply not the approach to use in writing a simple resume. Your document must first pass through the applicant tracking system before it can even reach the hands of a hiring manager. If you use this method, the screening technology implemented in the ATS will automatically filter your document out of the job candidate pool. One of the most common ways job seekers use a one-size-fits-all approach is a simple resume template.
You should focus and tailor to the specific job you are applying for, not multiple jobs. When undergoing a screening implemented by an ATS, a template will deviate from your given course of focus. Many companies may promise consumers that a basic resume template will save them time in their job search and yield positive results. However, a basic resume design that is too commonplace does not do anything to separate you from your competition.
Also, the design of a simple resume template is often misleading as it actually confuses and disorients applicant tracking systems and can ultimately lead to rejection. Avoid using a one-size-fits-all approach and avoid using a one-size-fits-all template at all costs (most of them are free for a reason)!
3) Highlighting Duties Instead Of Accomplishments
The saying “actions speak louder than words” details the revealing of one’s true character through actual actions instead of just saying things that hold no substance. This saying should be applied when differentiating duties from accomplishments.
The best way to showcase your abilities and the things you’ve done in your previous positions is to incorporate your accomplishments.
Showcasing specific projects and work results verbalizes your value as an employee through writing. Accomplishments go above and beyond in describing how well you did your job and what you can bring to the organization.
4) Not Enough Specifics
Hiring managers want specifics on what you’ve done to qualify yourself for the position at bay. This goes beyond just stating the obvious. Here is a perfect example. The following scenario details two candidates, who worked in the same position, describing their job duties:
Candidate #1
• Provided customer service to clients
Candidate #2
• Actively engaged in providing top customer service to 15-20 clients per day, helping retain clients and facilitate positive relationships
These two candidates performed the same job. However, as a hiring manager, you would be more inclined to select Candidate #2 for an interview as she succeeded in providing much more specific detail.
These are classic resume mistakes that will make hiring managers tell you to see your way out the door before you’ve even entered the room! These classic resume mistakes can be avoiding by hiring professional services to carefully tailor your document. Order a low cost resume (payment plan option included!) and be well on your way to attaining your career goals.
